Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Prevention and risks

On this page

• How coronavirus spreads
• Preventing coronavirus
• Risks of getting coronavirus
• Recommendations for travellers

How coronavirus spreads

Human coronaviruses cause infections of the nose, throat and lungs. They are most commonly spread from an infected person through:

• respiratory droplets generated when you cough or sneeze
• close, prolonged personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
• touching something with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands

Preventing coronavirus

There are currently no vaccines available to protect you against human coronavirus infection.

If you have travelled to Hubei province, China, in the last 14 days, limit your contact with others for 14 days from the date that you left Hubei. This means self-isolate and stay at home. Contact the local public health authority in your province or territory within 24 hours of arriving in Canada.

The following steps will help to reduce contact with others:

• avoid individuals with chronic conditions, compromised immune systems and older adults
• avoid having visitors to your home
• avoid situations such as social gatherings, work, school, daycare, health care facilities and seniors residences
• limit taking public transit

In general, the following advice can help reduce the risk of infection or spreading infection to others:

• stay home if you are sick
• when coughing or sneezing:
  • cover your mouth and nose with your arm to reduce the spread of germs
  • dispose of any tissues you have used as soon as possible and wash your hands afterwards
• wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• avoid visiting people in hospitals or long-term care centres if you are sick

People travelling to the province of Hubei should take precautions.

Health care or humanitarian workers caring for patients with suspected or confirmed coronavirus should use standard infection prevention and control precautions. This includes wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.

Risks of getting coronavirus

The public health risk associated with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, is low for Canada and for Canadian travellers.

Canada has no direct flights from Wuhan and the volume of travellers arriving indirectly from Wuhan is low. However, at this time, the Government of Canada recommends that Canadians avoid non-essential travel to China due to an outbreak of COVID-19.

Canada also recommends that Canadians avoid all travel to the province of Hubei, including the cities of:

• Ezhou
• Wuhan
• Huanggang

This recommendation is due to the heavy travel restrictions by Chinese authorities to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

At this time, it is unclear how easily this virus spreads from person to person.

Public health risk is continually reassessed as new information becomes available.

Recommendations for travellers

Always consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic at least 6 weeks before you travel.

When travelling to places near Wuhan, China:

• wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• use alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available
  • it is a good idea to always keep some with you when you travel
• eat and drink safely abroad by staying away from raw or undercooked food and meat
• avoid high-risk areas such as farms, live animal markets and areas where animals may be slaughtered
• avoid close contact with people who may be sick, especially if they have difficulty breathing or have a fever or cough
• avoid contact with animals (alive or dead), including pigs, chickens, ducks and wild birds, and items contaminated with their body fluids

Visit the travel advice and advisories page for the most up-to-date information on the risk of coronavirus in your travel destination. This information will help you:

• be aware of the local situation
• follow local public health advice

In some areas, access to health care may be affected.

Related links

• Sickness or injury while abroad
• Awareness resources (airport handouts and posters)
• Travel health notice
• Health and safety in the workplace